Nothing is easier to make than this Slow Cooker Creamy Pumpkin Soup Recipe – it’s great for chilly nights, potlucks and parties, or anytime.
Folks, you don’t need me to tell you that Pumpkin Season has arrived. Let’s kick it off with this super easy Slow Cooker Creamy Pumpkin Soup recipe, shall we? Do you want to take a guess at how many (big) cans of pumpkin puree I’ve already gone through in the past two weeks? Four. But who’s counting, right? (Well, I guess I am.) Tomorrow Carrie starts her #30DaysofPumpkin. I’ve been waiting with bated breath for the last 11 months. As I was adding all of these soup ingredients to my slow cooker, I found myself wondering how long it would take me to run out of pumpkin recipe ideas. I don’t think I’d have a problem with that. I can’t get enough pumpkin. But for now, a no-brainer way to use pumpkin puree: soup.
My Slow Cooker Love Runs Deep
My slow cooker has been getting a major workout the last few weeks. I love that slow cookers are so en vogue right now because the truth is, slow cooking is where it’s at. Slow cooking means flavors have time to develop and meld. It means you don’t need to attend to or babysit your dinner as it cooks. It’s fine if it cooks longer than you meant it to. It’s an (almost) fool-proof way of cooking.
And if you don’t have a slow cooker? No problem. The stovetop works equally well, of course. But if you want to “set it and forget it” this is your recipe. The result is a delightfully thick, rich soup to make all of your pumpkin dreams come true.
It’s fall. Pumpkin everything is now your duty. (Just walk into Trader Joe’s – pumpkin everything for everyone! It’s a good thing.)
This Pumpkin Soup Recipe is Savory, Not Sweet
Most pumpkin soup I’ve tried has been too, too sweet, almost like dessert. Sometimes I just want to enjoy the savory side of pumpkin. I did include the littlest bit of maple syrup in there because that little bit of maple flavor just works splendidly with the spices. Coconut milk gives it a nice, satisfying mouthfeel with a hint coconut flavor and just enough spices to be good without being overpowering.
Check out Becky’s Slow Cooker Lentil Tacos. We’ve teamed up again to bring you these great slow cooker recipes today. They look so yummy!
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Slow Cooker Creamy Pumpkin Soup
Lightly spiced creamy pumpkin soup that is made in a slow cooker. Perfect for a chilly fall night.
- Total Time: 4 hours 15 mins
- Yield: 8 1x
Ingredients
- 1 Tablespoon coconut oil
- 1 large onion, diced
- 2 carrots, diced
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 4 cups (1 quart) vegetable stock
- 1 (29 ounce) can pumpkin puree
- 1 (14 ounce) can unsweetened coconut milk (full-fat or light)
- 1 Tablespoon ground cumin
- 2 teaspoons ground coriander
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cardamom
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cayenne (optional)
- 1 Tablespoon maple syrup (optional)
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- Pumpkin seeds, optional garnish
- Cumin seeds, optional garnish
Instructions
- Heat coconut oil in a skillet. Add the onion and carrot. Cook for 5-10 minutes, or until softened. Add the garlic and cook for 30-60 seconds, then add the spices. Cook for another 30 seconds, stirring constantly to prevent burning.
- Transfer to a slow cooker. Add the stock, pumpkin puree, and coconut milk. Cook on LOW for 8-10 hours, or HIGH for 3-4 hours. (Can also be cooked on the stovetop at a low simmer for 30-45 minutes.)
- Before serving puree soup using an immersion (stick) blender or in batches in a traditional blender, if desired. Taste and add maple syrup, if desired. Season well with salt and pepper, to taste.
- Garnish with pumpkin and/or cumin seeds, if desired.
- Prep Time: 15 mins
- Cook Time: 4 hours
- Category: Main Dish, Soup, Slow Cooker
26 Comments
This soup is just gorgeous, and I love your use of those earthy spices in it!
I agree with you. Pumpkin soups don’t always have to be so sweet! I can’t wait to make this. Also, how have I never thought to garnish with cumin seeds. Brilliant!
Thanks for teaming up again. :)
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Stunning! I love the use of coconut milk, I’m sure it added a great consistency and flavor!
Love how you’ve used coconut oil and coconut milk. And what a wonderful combination of spices!
You seriously have the best recipes and photos. YUM!
The ingredients sound delicious apart from the canned pumpkin – why not use fresh?
Hi Linda! I’m not opposed to using canned pumpkin every now and again, especially for a quick recipe like this one. But fresh can most certainly be used instead of the canned.
What quantity of fresh pumpkin should I use please?
Hi Jenny! I’m not 100% sure what the equivalent amount of fresh would be, but my guess is that if you used 2 pounds of diced fresh pumpkin and cooked it in the slow cooker or on the stove with the other ingredients, it would cook down nicely and you could puree it. Or leave it chunky.
Keep in mind that the type of pumpkins that you see made into jack-o-lanterns isn’t the same type as found in canned pumpkin. The big orange guys don’t have much flavor. The types of pumpkin found in the cans are actually winter squashes such as butternut, hubbard and acorn. If you want to go fresh use your favorite winter squash.
Love that you mentioned it! I used fresh pumpkin – baked it first for 45 minutes at 350F then sliced and slow cook for 5 hours. I believe in fresh vegetables oppose to canned. We are feeding our body and we want the best for it!
I made this last night with parsnips instead of carrots and cashew milk instead of coconut milk. It was delicious! Paired with a smoked mozzarella Panini with sun dried tomato tapenade…I’m getting hungry just thinking about it! Great recipe! And easy too!
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Sounds dreamy! I love parsnips. That’s a great addition/substitution! So glad you liked it, AD!
Fresh is definitely better – I agree. I admit I fall prey too often to the ease of using canned. ;) Glad it worked out for you, Aneta!
Do you have to blend it in a blender? What happens if you don’t? Could I whisk it?
Hi Addi – you can totally still make this without a blender. The only purpose of the blender is to make the soup smooth by pureeing the carrot and onion. But the soup will still be great even if it’s a little chunky. Hope that helps!
what a great recipe. simple and delicious. I will be making this again! Thank you. Beautiful pictures
Hi Lindsey!
I’d love to include your slow cooker pumpkin soup in a savory pumpkin roundup I’m doing for Parade Magazine.
If you’re fine with it, could I use one of your gorgeous photos with a link back to your original post (http://cafejohnsonia.com/2014/09/slow-cooker-creamy-pumpkin-soup.html)?
Let me know, thanks!
felicia
Of course, Felicia! Thanks!
I can’t wait to make this. It looks delicious. Love the use of all the earthy spices and really like that you don’t have to use high fat 35% cream. Would probably be great with butternut squash too. Thanks for posting this! Natalie
Sounds delicious! Can I substitute all those spices with just pumpkin pie spice? If so, how much?
Hello, Ruth! That’s a great question. All of those spices added together would be 3.5 teaspoons, but I feel like that would be too much pumpkin spice maybe. I would say start with 1-2 teaspoons and add more until it tastes good to you. I will say though, it will change the flavor of the soup. The cumin and coriander are fantastic here, so I think you could still use them and add 1 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice too. Unless you don’t have those other spices on hand or don’t care for them. That’s all to say: yes, I think you’d be fine substituting the spices with pumpkin pie spice. :)
Hi Lindsey. I’m excited to try this recipe. I only have chicken stock on hand, not vegetable. Think this substitution will make much of an impact?
Hello Mandy! Chicken stock is fine in place of the vegetable stock. :)
Quick question. Is it sour cream or thickened cream I add? I assume normal thickened but I have this vague memory of Nan adding sour cream to her soup.
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Does this recipe freeze well?